L.A. Walks

July 24, 2015

Lacing through the wooded hillside community of La Cañada Flintridge, these equestrian trails make for serene, shaded summer walking. This one is called Flint Canyon Trail. The stats Distance: 2.2 miles Difficulty: 2, on a scale of 1 to 5 Duration: 1 hour Details: Ample street parking. Dogs on a ...

March 20, 2015

Centrally located and served by its own Metro stop, gritty MacArthur Park (like adjacent Lafayette Park) retains only tarnished hints of its former glory. But at 32 acres, it’s an unusually large open urban space, has been cleaned up considerably and contains fascinating bits of L.A. history. The stats Distance: ...

Dec. 18, 2014

Belvedere Community Regional Park, an unexpectedly lush urban oasis in East Los Angeles, features 30 acres of baseball, basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, skating and even trout fishing. Oh, and nice walking too. The stats Distance: 2 miles Difficulty: 1, on a scale of 1 to 5 Duration: 1 hour Details: ...

Oct. 17, 2014

Climb the L.A. staircase where the 1932 Laurel and Hardy short “The Music Box” was filmed and hike the neighborhood. The stats Distance: 1.5 miles Difficulty: 3, on a scale of 1 to 5 Duration: 1 hour Details: Dogs on a leash are OK. Free and metered street parking. Metro ...

Sept. 26, 2014

The confusing layout of the streets around Marina del Rey combined with limited street parking make this an almost traffic-free destination for a walk along Ballona Lagoon, the main marina channel and a deserted strip of Venice Beach. The stats Distance: 2.5 milesDifficulty: 2, on a scale of 1 to ...

Aug. 22, 2014

I've long thought it was a shame that those big green expanses of golf courses are reserved for golfers and that the city ought to open up a pedestrian lane circling them so the rest of us can enjoy the greenery. Well, turns out they did, sort of. Here is ...

July 28, 2014

This is a brisk city walk with a country feeling, starting high in Hollywood's Beachwood Canyon and climbing almost to the base of the Hollywood sign. Along the way are fantastic views of the Hollywood Reservoir, some famous homes and a visit to some of the area's secret public staircases.

July 28, 2014

This is a casual, low-impact mountain hike that begins and ends in a scenic, historic spot ideal for weekend picnics and perfect for wowing out-of-town guests.

July 25, 2014

This walk in the Tujunga Wash Greenway in the Valley is a combination leg stretch, history lesson and art gallery, taking in one of the city's least-known cultural constructions and one of the longest murals in the world.

June 27, 2014

Most folks probably don't look to Culver City for hiking trails with majestic city views. But the 57-acre Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook State Park has them, plus a set of stairs massive enough to be visible, like the Great Wall of China, from outer space. The huge workout is matched ...

June 20, 2014

More than 100 years ago, developer Abbot Kinney conceived the mad idea of building a “Venice of America,” a cultural Valhalla dedicated to the fine arts, complete with canals, gondolas and imported Italian gondoliers. The experiment failed, and the gondoliers went home, but the canals remain and are a splendid ...

May 30, 2014

This is a surprisingly lush walk in the unlikeliest of places -- off La Cienega Boulevard, surrounded by barren hills dotted with rusted oil pumping equipment. But within the 308-acre Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area are broad lawns, groves of eucalyptus, sumac and oak, several lakes, a rushing stream and ...

April 25, 2014

This is a short, vigorous walk that unites two of Griffith Park's most charming features — the vintage 1926 merry-go-round and the ruins of the park's original zoo.

March 21, 2014

This rocky landmark in Chatsworth is a worldwide draw for climbing enthusiasts. But it's also a great place to take a walk while watching the climbers practice their art on small rocks at the base and sheer cliffs near the peak.

Feb. 21, 2014

Whittier Narrows Recreation Area in South El Monte offers an easy lakeside hike with views of swans and herons. Hike details: Distance: 3 miles Duration: 1 hour Difficulty: 2 on a scale of 1 to 5 Details: Ample free parking. Dogs on a leash are OK. Wheelchair accessible.

Jan. 24, 2014

Head to Thousand Oaks' Wildwood Park, where the moderately difficult trail to Paradise Falls leads to a robust waterfall.

Dec. 27, 2013

In the Studio City area, try this Fryman Canyon path that was once named the best running trail in the city.

Nov. 30, 2013

In Sylmar, walkers can see the cascades of water from the Los Angeles Aqueduct spill into the San Fernando Valley. A loop hike leads to views.

Oct. 18, 2013

Wattles Garden Park is a bucolic, verdant garden in the heart of Hollywood. It’s loaded with history, and a delightful place to have a picnic, watch a sunset or just hang out. This easy walk will introduce you to the many charms of this recently restored Los Angles landmark, closed ...

Aug. 16, 2013

This walk is easy on the legs but full of wonders for the eyes and mind — beautiful buildings, weird history and more — through the lesser-known side of Old Town Pasadena.

Aug. 16, 2013

This beach-and-bluffs walk in Santa Monica is a great way to soak up some scenery, take in some salty air and learn a little local history. It can be a gentle walk or a generous workout — depending on whether you use any (or all!) of the four massive staircases ...

July 19, 2013

A walk around Echo Park Lake offers views of downtown, and straying nearby leads to L.A.'s best collection of Victorian-era houses.

May 25, 2013

High in the hills, perched between Hollywood and Vine and the Hollywood sign, sits scenic Lake Hollywood, a reservoir held back by a dam designed by the great water wrangler William Mulholland. Flanked by a classic California mix of oak, pine, eucalyptus, agave and sage, and circled by a pedestrian ...

March 23, 2013

Elysian Park near downtown L.A. is a huge space containing great networks of trails and commanding broad city and mountain views. This introductory walk might make you a regular visitor.

Feb. 23, 2013

Near the junction of the 405 and 101 freeways, in the green space below the Sepulveda Dam, is a haven for many species of winged wildlife. Nearby are a hidden Japanese garden, an archery range and a string of cricket pitches.

Jan. 19, 2013

Here is a lovely country-in-the-city walk, with delightful views, varied greenery and an unlikely hilltop lake, all within 15 minutes of downtown Los Angeles.

Oct. 27, 2012

Silver Lake has recently been named the hipster capital of cool. Its reservoir and meadow provide great walking and a green urban outpost right in town.

Sept. 22, 2012

Among the newest Southern California parks, this Santa Monica Mountains facility in Malibu is a step back in time to the Southland's golden age.

Aug. 23, 2012

This is an unexpectedly verdant walk surrounded by urban sprawl, where the Los Angeles River, gradually being allowed to return to its natural state, is home to an amazing array of native fish, fowl, joggers and cyclists.

July 21, 2012

This is a short, steep hike that begins on a trail amid the mansions of La Cañada-Flintridge, with massive mountain and city views — a real workout with a real payoff.

June 23, 2012

Spend a hot summer day on a cool summer walk around the Naples district of Long Beach. It's flat and breezy and makes a sweet sunset stroll too.

May 26, 2012

I only recently discovered this hidden country-in-the-city hiking spot, set below Mulholland Drive, west of Coldwater Canyon, and just minutes from Beverly Hills or Studio City. Although less well known than nearby Runyon or Fryman canyons, it may look familiar on your first visit: Bits of TV shows, such as ...

April 28, 2012

You don't have to fight the crowds in Santa Monica Canyon to get a great stairway workout. You can hike the historic wooden Eldred stairs in Highland Park and get great city and mountain views in the bargain.

March 24, 2012

Nobody walks in L.A.? Ridiculous! A gentle, flat walk in an urban setting, this is an East L.A. oasis in the midst of historic Boyle Heights, filled with old city history and fine downtown views. It's a popular weekend destination for local families for Saturday strolling or Sunday picnicking.